Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established Swaraj with the unmatched courage and selfless sacrifice of brave warriors like Tanaji, Murarbaji, and Baji Prabhu. While many of their heroic deeds are associated with forts, the legacy of Baji Prabhu Deshpande is tied to a mountain pass. The bravery and sacrifice of Baji Prabhu and his Mavlas soldiers sanctified the Gajapur Pass, which is today known as Pavan Khind (Sacred Pass). The distance between Panhala and Vishalgad is about 60 km. The Panhala–Pavan Khind stretch covers 45 km, and Vishalgad–Pavan Khind is 15 km. Pavan Khind is located about 5 km off the main road from Pandharpani towards Vishalgad. A direct road now leads tourists to the site, where a large circular stone bastion has been constructed by the Tourism Department. To reach both the top of the bastion and the edge of the valley below, one must descend about 50–60 stone steps. ... This spot is also the origin of the Kasari River, which flows gently through this gorge. A pedestrian bridge crosses this stream, and a 20–25-foot iron ladder leads down into the valley. At the valley’s mouth, there is an iron memorial featuring a shield, sword, and a saffron flag. Descending the ladder, one enters a rough path scattered with large rocks. The pass is no more than 15 feet wide, but the terrain is uneven and filled with boulders. This is the historic Pavan Khind. While the area is forested, the modern developments for tourism have taken away some of the battlefield's raw, natural difficulty. Apart from weekends and the monsoon, the site is usually quiet. The story of Baji Prabhu Deshpande and the battle of Pavan Khind is well known through school history lessons, so it needs little introduction. Baji Prabhu was the hereditary Deshpande and chief administrator of the Hirdas Maval under Krishna Bandal, a feudal lord of Bhor Taluka in Pune district. After Shivaji Maharaj took control of Hirdas Maval and Krishna Bandal was killed in the campaign, Maharaj took Krishna’s son Rayaji Bandal and Baji Prabhu into his fold. During the post-Afzal Khan campaign in the Kolhapur region, the Bandal troops accompanied Maharaj. On 2 March 1660, Siddi Johor laid siege to Panhala Fort—one that continued even through the monsoon. With English artillery approaching Panhala and Shasta Khan invading Swaraj from the north, Shivaji Maharaj planned a daring escape from the fort. The plan included diplomatic distractions and sending Shiva Kashid, a lookalike of Maharaj, to Siddhi’s camp to confuse the enemy. This created the perfect opportunity for Shivaji Maharaj to flee. On the night of 12 July 1660 (Ashadhi Pournima, a Thursday), Shivaji Maharaj, along with 600 armed foot soldiers, escaped from Panhala via a secret route chosen by his spies. Rayaji Bandal and 600 Bandal soldiers accompanied him. Once Shiva Kashid was captured and killed, Siddi Masood, Siddi Johor’s general, pursued Shivaji Maharaj. His cavalry intercepted the fleeing forces near Pandharpani. To halt the enemy and buy time for Shivaji’s safe arrival at Vishalgad, a strategic decision was made to make a last stand at Gajapur Pass. Shivaji Maharaj took 400 Mavlas with him toward Vishalgad, while Baji Prabhu and 300 Bandal warriors stayed behind to defend the pass. Baji Prabhu sent Rayaji Bandal ahead with Maharaj and took command of the remaining forces himself. The mission was clear: hold the pass until Maharaj reached Vishalgad and signal safety with cannon fire from the fort. Baji positioned his men strategically on the uphill terrain and amidst the surrounding forest. When Siddi Masood’s cavalry entered the narrow pass, Baji Prabhu, Phulaji, Sambhaji Jadhav, and the Bandal warriors launched a fierce battle. Though grievously wounded, Baji Prabhu and his Mavals stood firm as the shield protecting their king. By 4 a.m., Shivaji Maharaj had reached Vishalgad after breaking through the siege laid by Jaswantrao Dalvi and Surve. At that very moment, the second act of the sacrifice—Baji and Fulaji’s martyrdom—had ended in the pass. The battle fought on 13 July 1660 transformed Gajapur Pass into Pavan Khind (Sacred Pass). Nearly all 300 Bandal warriors laid down their lives, while over 1,200 of Masood’s troops were slain. Phulaji and Baji Prabhu bodies were respectfully brought to Vishalgad, where in the presence of Shivaji Maharaj, Rayaji Bandal performed their final rites. Even today, at Vishalgad’s Pataldari area, the neglected memorials of these martyrs can be found. To truly understand the sacrifice and valour of this battle, one must visit Pavan Khind at least once in their life. Note: There is a historical debate over whether the currently designated site of Pavan Khind is indeed the original battlefield. Some historians have differing opinions on the exact location.
© Suresh Nimbalkar